André Masson - Sonnets by Louise Labé

Lithograph, 1972

Edition: 74/150

Publisher: André Sauret (Monte Carlo)

Printer: Mourlot (Paris)

Image size: 54.00 × 33.00 cm
(21.26 × 12.99 in.)

Paper size: 65.00 × 50.00 cm
(25.59 × 19.69 in.)

Signed by the artist in pencil
With certificate of authenticity
In good condition

Artwork description

This lithograph, created in 1972, is a poetic work by André Masson, made in tribute to the "Sonnets" of Louise Labé, a prominent female poet of the 16th-century French Renaissance.

Louise Labé, also known as the "Fair Rope-maker of Lyon," is celebrated for her bold and delicate transformation of love, passion, and women's inner emotions into poetry. Masson resonated with her literary world, creating a fantastical visual landscape that translates words into images.

The figures in the image are depicted as lovers playing music. Their soft, flowing gestures and curvilinear forms create an impression as if the music itself drifts across the canvas. The mandolin, in particular, is a significant symbol in this work, portrayed not merely as an instrument but as a medium for affection, seduction, and emotional expression.

Masson's characteristic light and impromptu line work reflects the spirit of automatism, carried over from his Surrealist period. Simultaneously, it is imbued with the lyricism and refinement typical of his 1970s works, emanating a more poetic and graceful atmosphere than the intensity seen in his earlier creations.

Furthermore, the curvilinear and rhythmic lines also reflect his interest in East Asian calligraphy, creating a unique space where visual art, music, and poetry converge. This work is a captivating piece that expresses the universal themes of literature, music, and love through Masson's unique and free imagination.